National Video Campaign from American Council on Exercise Highlights Everyday Health Heroes

Fri, 2014-02-21 17:21

This press release was provided by the American Council on Exercise. The Club Industry editorial staff was not involved in the creation of this content.

A documentary-style video campaign launched today aims to reshape the perception of professionals in the health and fitness industry, and arm the public with new inspiration to live healthy lifestyles.

The multi-faceted promotion by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) features ACE certified professionals from across the globe, whose insights on career choice, client successes and personal experiences offer an emotional and passionate connection for people from all walks of life.

PROfiles, the first campaign of its kind to hit the fitness industry, puts ACE certified Personal Trainers, Group Fitness Instructors, Health Coaches, and Advanced Health and Fitness Specialists in front of the camera and invites others to share their story through video or written entries.

“These videos offer raw, emotional stories from professionals who have overcome their own battles with weight, and those who started careers in fitness because of the struggles of someone they love,” said ACE President and CEO Scott Goudeseune. “PROfiles offers full transparency, and because of that, we’re confident this campaign will inspire people to make the healthy changes our nation so desperately needs.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two out of three American adults are currently classified as either overweight or obese.

“When you’re 450 pounds and you can barely walk, even people who are not upset at you for being that way … when they look at you, you can see this horror and pity in their eyes. They can’t hide it,” said ACE certified Health Coach Lee Jordan, a PROfiles subject who now draws on his morbidly obese past to help people lose 100 pounds or more. “It’s a nightmare of a life.”

PROfiles also features Ryan Vivar, a child of Mexican immigrants who used his passion for helping people as a way to pay for his aunt’s cancer treatment; Andrew Garrison, a self-described “one-footed fitness guy” who has a knack for human interaction; Bill Sonnemaker, who traded medical school for a career guiding others to healthy change; and dozens more.

In recent years, as the role of ACE has expanded from a certification provider to thought leader, the organization searched for a way to elevate the perception of well-qualified health and fitness professionals who hold certifications accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Ultimately, the nonprofit organization landed on the idea that the best way to show the value of quality, educated health and fitness professionals was to put them in front of the camera.

To explore PROfiles, visit ACEfitness.org/PROfiles. ACE also encourages viewers to share the videos with their social networks using hashtag #GetInspired.

About ACE

Founded in 1985, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) is the largest nonprofit health and fitness organization in the world. In addition to providing certifications accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) for Personal Trainers, Group Fitness Instructors, Health Coaches, and Advanced Health and Fitness Specialists, ACE protects the public from unsafe and ineffective products, programs and trends by commissioning independent, science-based research. The organization offers access to free health and fitness information including workouts, nutrition information and expert advice on ACEfit.com, and it delivers quality continuing education options for professionals from a variety of fields. For more information, call (800) 825-3636 or visit www.ACEfitness.org. AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EXERCISE, ACE and ACE logos are Registered Trademarks of the American Council on Exercise.